How to write a novel. We should probably first agree that this is a rather large topic. One might even call it rotund, ginormous, massive, weighty, of-gargantuan-proportions, etc. But lately I have heard from several would-be writers with a very common sentiment:

I want to write a novel, I think I can write a novel, but for the love of Tim Gunn, how in the world do you write a novel?

And that brings us to the most important advice I can offer in this How to Write a Novel overview. If you try and hold the entire novel in your head all at once and attempt to imagine it in its entirety and all of its various ins and outs, your brain will suddenly become so heavy that you will topple over backwards and pass out.

Don't be intimidated by the bigness of the task. As the great Donald Trump would say: It is a 'UGE task. 'uge. The best thing you can do is to break a novel up into some comprehensible components that you can think about in a coherent fashion and try as hard as you can not to be intimidated.

Contrary to the myth of the writer sitting down blindly and letting their inspiration spill onto the page, whether you're a thorough outliner or an adherent to the school of write-as-you-go-I'll-edit-later, I highly recommend having at least a rough sketch of the below elements in place before you sit down and type "Chapter 1: It was a dark and stormy night."

The Main Plot Arc

This right here is the spine of the book. It's what happens, it's what you build around, it's the main event. When people ask you what your book is about, this is what you tell them.

I like to think of every novel, whether it's literary fiction or genre fiction, as a quest. Every quest has:

1) a starting place
2) a first step
3) a journey (the biggest chunk of the novel)
4) an ending

Take a look at all of your favorite novels - they have a starting place, then something sets the main character's world ajar, then the character embarks on a literal or figurative journey with significant obstacles, and then an ending, where the character either ends up somewhere new or ends up back where they started but irrevocably changed.

There are millions of variations on this quest, whether it's a journey through the mind, battling personal demons, or flying through outer space, but every single novel is about a character or characters who start in one place and end up somewhere else. That journey, physical or emotional or hopefully both, is the heart of the novel.

If the most challenging obstacle your main character faces happens in the first half of the book: the reader will be bored in the second half. If your character gets everything they want and always has "up" moments: the reader will be bored with the predictability. If your character only has "down" moments and things get steadily worse and worse with no hope whatsoever: your reader will either be horrifically depressed or start to think everything is unintentionally funny.

Whether the main obstacle is an arch-villain, their own personal demons, or a powerful army of rhetorical questions--the biggest battle is in the end, and there are gains, setbacks, and smaller obstacles along the way. Better still if the obstacles and the intensity of the emotions steadily increase and swing back and forth as the novel goes along.

At the center of a novel's quest is a protagonist, or possibly a small group of protagonists, but for the purposes of this section let's just stick with the protagonist as a singular. Said protagonist can be a man, a woman, a child, an alien, a Chihuahua, a mold spore, or anything else you can think of trust me it's been done before.

But every single protagonist, no matter what species, has one thing in common: they want something. The novel is about trying to get that thing they want.

Now, the best protagonists are complex individuals who may want multiple things. They may think they want one thing but in reality want another, or they may want two things that are at odds with each other. But once you know what a character wants, their personality (funny? brave? weak?) becomes an expression of how they go about getting it.

Every additional character also has something they want, and that may perchance be at odds with what your protagonist wants. The villain, if you have one, either wants the same thing as your protagonist (competition) or the exact opposite of what your character wants (adversarial), and is nearly, but not quite, as powerful as your protagonist.

The setting is more than just where your novel takes place. A great setting is woven into the very fabric of the novel. The best settings have:

- Change underway - Something is happening in the world that is changing, whether war is coming, new moral values are ascendant, or something else that is roiling the calm. Whether the novel is a massive multi-country canvass or a very personal coming of age story, something is changing.
- A personality - The setting is different than the real world not just in where it's set, but also in its value system and character. Maybe it's a funny world, maybe it's ruthless world, maybe it's all totally punk rock YEAH MAN, but it has its own personality.
- Unfamiliarity - A great setting shows us something we haven't seen and makes us look at our own world in a new way.

Much like love, style don't come easy. Our first attempts at crafting a signature style inevitably feel like imitation. But if you write enough and keep trying and keep pushing yourself, eventually you will arrive at your own personal style that is nothing like anyone else's and voila, your novel will have a voice.

And at the end of the novel (it is near the end, yes?), your characters will face their biggest obstacles, and all of the simmering conflicts and plots and subplots all come to a head. It helps if the climax is your best, most dramatic scene, when the moments have the biggest weight and the characters are experiencing their highest highs and their lowest lows. A great climax will have your reader cheering or crying or laughing or all of the above. Hopefully in a good way.

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If you have a sense of these six components before you sit down to write you will already have the most difficult elements in place. You will have a sense of who your character(s) is/are, you will have a sense of where they are and where they're going, and a rough idea of how they get from Point A to Point B.

To be sure, the characters will surprise you along the way, certain things won't make sense when they're on the page and you'll have to adjust on the fly, but as long as these key elements are in place there is no reason why the idea of your novel should make your brain shut down.

Then all you have to accomplish is the mere trifle of spending hundreds of hours writing it.

Fantastic post! Really informative, and it actually makes me feel less anxious about my little novel now that I've gone down the "checklist" and realised that I have all those elements on my pages, so it's at least partially a novel. :)

I want my own powerful army of rhetorical questions! Or at least a small army of powerful rhetorical questions.

Here's a serious question, though: What's your take on the "necessity" of a villain (i.e. no larger, structural antagonists, we must have a really bad guy with dastardly hair) in children's fiction (I'm thinking MG more than YA)?

With the caveat that it works it works, I'd say with middle grade a villain probably a bit more necessary because the worldview is a bit more black and white at that age, whereas I think there's more room for complexity as kids get older.

"Main plot arcs"? What are these? Actually, I often do have a main plot...um, endpoint or two, but by the time I reach one of them the arc isn't really an arc anymore, and what I thought was going to be the climax often isn't. I start with only a few of these things, a character, maybe where he is, or what he's trying to do in the next few pages, and then set him off and follow him around. I follow the internal logic of that character and all the others that pop up out of the ether. The story grows organically that way, it's more fun to write, and I think to read, and the events of the book make more sense.

This is my favorite of your Blog posts so far. Very detailed and very informative! I love how you clearly describe the steps in writing a novel, even after describing the herculean reality of the task: "And that brings us to the most important advice I can offer in this How to Write a Novel overview. If you try and hold the entire novel in your head all at once and attempt to imagine it in its entirety and all of its various ins and outs, your brain will suddenly become so heavy that you will topple over backwards and pass out." HaHaHa! That is so true.

I think it gets easier to write a novel with every novel you write. I’ve written seven novels so far: three safely tucked away in drawers, three published by indie press, one new one recently completed. After a while, the steps to writing a novel kind of live at the back of your head while you craft the story, coming out as reminders when you need to review them.

I agree - huge topic, pretty much insurmountable challenge-type topic. IMO, there is no one way to write a novel - no checklist and no outline will ignite that holy inner fire that produces a great novel. But good novels do have some things in common - they tell a compelling story in language that makes sense and somehow, in some way, the characters are relate-able. In other words, the reader can identify with the characters and their challenges. If all the characters in a novel are abhorrent or puke-worthy, I don't consider that a good novel, no matter how well-crafted. For me, a great novel must not only move me, it must have at least some small redemptive power, even if that redemptive power involves failure and/or death.

When I write, I must remind myself to be patient, the story comes out word by word. A novel cannot be written all at once.

Great novels don't come along often. As far as I'm concerned, East of Eden, by John Steinbeck, epitomizes the great American novel.

It was really inspiring to read these instructions, I am sorry that I did not have a year ago when I began, but always good to come, maybe help me with the extension. In any case, each praises the good ideas, but also the good will to help those who wish to engage in with this, these guidelines are more than welcome! Regards!

James N Frey, How to Write a Damn Good Novel (books 1 & 2), are the best handbooks on the craft.

Follow the advice religiously and follow it up with any of his subsequent three How to Write Damn Good craft books: Myth, Mystery and Thrillers. Or any of his workshops usually held in SF area. http://jamesnfrey.com/

I haven't finished a novel yet, but I hope it's OK if I only have a couple of things planned before I start writing and figure out the rest by writing (I write a lot of things in the first draft or two that won't end up in the story--writing *is* my process of figuring out most of the elements of the story)

Thanks, Nathan, for condensing the basic elements of writing a novel into this post.

I use a similar breakdown when I work with an outline for a new novel project. I include research time, and try to do the characterization, location details and background info (world or universe building) prior to starting the basic writing. I may rearrange chapters or whatever is needed later in the writing, as the outline is flexible and is used as a guideline. Style and voice develop along with the story, after I've decided the POV and a working title.

One thing I find I need when writing -- a lot of time to think things through. A writer needs some time to make those connections in the brain which feed our imagination.In time management, they call it 'chunking' the work.

To clarify previous comment - 'Chunking the work' as a time management expression was referring to was what you called 'comprehensible components' (of any job or project). Should have had a line space there.

I love the part about figuring out what all the characters want. Whenever I get stuck in a scene or something isn't feeling real, I step back and remind myself what the characters involved want and it always helps me to come up with some sort of resolution to whatever was bugging me.

AH! I've read and digested it now. I was struck by your statement that voice is something that doesn't come easy, and is something that we have to push ourselves to craft. I've never thought of it that way.

Actually, I've always thought of it as kind of the opposite. That it is what naturally comes out when you sit down to write, which is why your voice is yours - it is your own words, stated in the way that comes naturally to you. And when we write the same idea over and over in different ways trying to find the right words, what we're really looking for are the words that will match the voice that is already in our heads.

But since even my idea of voice involves revising the same statement dozens of times, maybe we actually agree on the "pushing yourself to craft it" part...

The writing is the writing. And after that? It helps to know someone and to have a track record of being marketable or perhaps your work resembles what's selling at that moment. You're taking the reader on a journey and there has to be some trust. If they don't know you, it's difficult to convince them that you know where you're going, especially if they've never been there and are unfamiliar with the scenery. So no one takes a serious look and you're tossed in favor of the familiar.

The writing is the writing. And after that? It helps to know someone and to have a track record of being marketable or perhaps your work resembles what's selling at that moment. You're taking the reader on a journey and there has to be some trust. If they don't know you, it's difficult to convince them that you know where you're going, especially if they've never been there and are unfamiliar with the scenery. So no one takes a serious look and you're tossed in favor of the familiar.

Thank you for the chuckle.One of the best descriptions of writing a novel I've read in some time.I have written two novels and have yet to find an agent.I would add the untold hours of learning the craft and the masochistic need to expose one's innermost thoughts to the world.Combine all of that with our driving,relentless crusade to find and possess,the Holy Grail( A great agent)coupled with constant rejections that tear our heart out,rip any remnants left of an ego to shreds and you have it.Why would anyone want to be a writer. because we can't not write,that is the truth of it.I'm going to feed my ego with chocolate candy now. I'll send out more queries when I have the money for the d*mn stamps.Happy writing.

The villain is nearly, but not quite, as powerful as your protagonist.

The villain should either seem to be or actually be stronger than your hero. This makes the hero grow, as with Luke taking three movies to be the match of Vader, or Rocky needing to train after taking a beating from Mr. T.

Without the David vs. Goliath odds, there isn't as much sympathy or suspense, and the hero doesn't have to call on as much ingenuity and courage.

Yes, I too would love it if you'd publish your blog as a book (preferably printed on paper lol). It's soooo useful - in fact I was wondering only yesterday why my brain was overweight, and now I know how to put it on a sensible diet - thanks.

I'd agree. While I start the germ of the novel idea by writing and sketching and daydreaming, I'm not going to commit to those hundreds of hours and the inevitable freakouts when things go awry unless I feel it is a story that will move. That said, once I begin with certain elements in place, I'm always surprised at how it turns out in the end. No, it's not necessarily an outline, he's talking about (although they help me); it's a sense of the story.

Unfortunately, as a born-and-raised New Yorker, I feel compelled to submit a small correction. Mr. Trump and I communicate in the same dialect. The correct spelling of the English word "huge" in our shared dialect is yuge, not 'uge. An acceptable alternate spelling, indicating emphasis, is yooge (unfortunately, this is also what the locals in Eugene, Oregon call their hometown, albeit with a capital Y and a definite article). Whether spelled as yuge or yooge, the initial 'y' is important to distinguish us from our Cockney friends in England.

I apologize for the nitpicking and again thank you for your otherwise spot-on post.

Thanks for the great post! I really appreciated it. So many invaluable tips that are now written down in my notebook and will be read and re-read and re-written and highlighted until I have them memorized.

"If your character only has "down" moments and things get steadily worse and worse with no hope whatsoever: your reader will either be horrifically depressed or start to think everything is unintentionally funny."

This is exactly my problem with "The Road".

I kept saying to myself, "Really, Cormac? What horrible thing could happen now to further destroy all hope? Oh, that? Wow, what horrible thing could happen NOW? How about NOW?"

With my first I just wrote for a few hours everynight and the story came itself. I had no real problems writing, it worked itself out as I went.

With my second, I did a one or two sentence outline for each chapter, then let the story come. I ended up being ahead in chapters, as I wrote the story flowed itself, taking it's time, characters apppearing because their ego wanted them in there etc. After major editing, the number of chaps came back down, but the story's still there.

Love this post, Nathan. In character development, I often remind myself that human nature is neither black nor white, and that villians are much more likeable - and believable - when the reader witnesses them committing acts of kindess. Same goes for heroes: exhibit just how far they're willing to go to get what they want, especially when they think no one's looking. Finding their dark side is fun!

And let's not forget that to teach yourself how to do this really well, you're going to have to pay your dues through a rigorous apprenticeship.

Like becoming a doctor or a lawyer, it will take you years to learn the required skills.

Like becoming a doctor or a lawyer you'll have to spend spend ten, eleven, twelve hours a day, learning these skills. (If a guy came up to you, after you had been injured in a car accident, and he said he was practicing to be a doctor in the evenings... and another guy came up to you and said he had just graduated from medical school... which person would you want working on you?)

Quitting your job, I would argue, is almost essential. Could one teach oneself to be a lawyer by studying in the evening after work - how about becoming a doctor or a dentist, or a mathematician? To excel at any profession, you have to earn it.

Unfortunately, the above mentioned rigorous apprenticeship is something that's not respected by contemporary literary agents, and unfortunately, one does need a literary agent in order to attract the attention of a publisher.

I absolutely hate plotting stories thoroughly. Writing for me is a romance with the characters. If I don't treat it like a real relationship, where I get to know them over time, my inspiration and desire to write vanish. I write so that they might live, not so they can do what I tell them to do. Yes, I know the general plot. I know where it starts and where it ends, and I know the gist of how they're going to get there. But I have to let the characters fill in the details or else I can't write.

That being said, I really appreciate this article. It gives me confidence that I've done my part; now it's the characters' turn to do theirs.

You write truth succinctly. I have studied the craft estensively and find what you present not only credible but also worthy.

In your discussion of voice, you might add that voice not only represents the writer but also the work itself. I have (self) published four novels, no two of which has the same voice. I suspect there will never be a Glenn Knight voice, but multiple voices, depending on the work of each.

I am so impressed. I have this idea around in my head, I've dabbled in writing but never thought I could write something that was novel-worthy, but your article really helped! It made total sense and was relatable. Everything isn't daunting anymore. I've started researching on the internet and finding bits and pieces, but yours really made so many things clear.THANK YOU!

Nathan,Thank you for providing all of this information. As a want-to-be writer, I appreciate what you are sharing with others. My first novel is currently being read by a couple of friends to "test the water." If they approve, I will continue to polish and start working on the other aspects of this process. Thanks to you, I'm looking forward to proceeding with this journey (rejections and all!).

You raised an excellent point about organizing the novel--I have been asking writers I know for several years now whether they organize from the beginning (you know, detailed outline), or organize roughly, or don't organize at all. Most seem to work from an outline. I wrote my first novel without an organization (like Robert Frost, who said, when asked how he wrote, I just start writing and, I know I'm done when I stop writing)--the difference being that I'm no Robert Frost!I had to go back and redo that first novel. It's being shopped now. My second novel is much better organized. Tim Dorsey was surprised when i told him I wrote without an outline. My outline now is just a general idea of where the characters are going. Oh well--I will keep experimenting. The second book seems better than the first. Moonman

Awesome compilation of writing tips, Nathan. I especially appreciate the care you took to illuminate the difference between protagonist/antagonist (villain). So many aspiring writers don't quite understand that conflict has many layers -- and that the best reads include internal conflict (value driven) as well as external conflict (plot driven). Thanks for this wonderful resource for writers.

This is a really impressive article that covers so many of the key points in a concise and humourous way. Very impressed. Did I mention I was impressed?I rarely use the words 'must read' but I think this is for any new authors starting out.

I've always been interested in writing a novel and getting published. Your posts are are so well thought out and helpful I can't help but reread them. Thank's so much for the advice you continue to give in your blogs and the push to help me keep going in my writing!

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